Choosing to leave your concrete slab exposed inside your home is an economical, beautiful flooring option, but some homeowners worry that this could leave a space feeling cold.
Adding warmth to exposed concrete flooring is a simple solution, and is no more difficult than it is when dealing with natural stone, tile, or even hardwood floors. In fact, concrete flooring offers some heating options that you don’t find among these other types, along with the benefits of style and durability.
Planning Ahead
Homeowners who haven’t finished building their homes yet are in a uniquely beneficial position when it comes to exposed concrete flooring. Deciding that you prefer this flooring option before your slab is poured allows you to specify that the slab is fitted with an outer layer of insulation that is specially made to extend below the frost line.
This not only warms up your concrete flooring but also makes your whole house more energy efficient in any season. A slab can also be fitted with radiant heat coils during the pouring process that warm the slab from the inside. If you already have an existing slab, it can still be retrofitted with these warming options by an experienced concrete contractor.
Sealing the Slab
An unsealed concrete slab is a porous surface that allows air and moisture to pass through. This will cause the floor to lose some of its warmth. Adding a sealer to the surface of your slab comes with many benefits, including keeping the air and moisture out, and keeping the heat in.
A sealed slab is also more durable, easier to keep clean and damage-free, and looks a lot nicer in an indoor space than a bare slab does. Epoxy coating is an extra thick sealer that adds warmth and comes in a fun variety of colors and textures.
Accessorizing for Warmth
Even if you’ve taken the time to design your concrete flooring for optimum warmth, some people just don’t like the feel of the bare floor under their feet, especially in the colder months. The way to deal with this problem is through proper accessorizing. Add area rugs to sitting areas or spaces where your kids will be playing on the floor. Long runners are perfect for walkways between rooms. Rugs have the added benefit of bringing color and style to a room, while still showing off the beauty of your concrete floors in the exposed spaces.
